17TH Conference on Hydrology
Impacts of Water Variability: Benefits and Challenges

JP3.8

Retrospective Verification of Ensemble Streamflow Prediction (esp): A Case Study

Shuzheng Cong, NOAA/NWS, Silver Spring, MD; and J. Schaake and E. Welles

Verification of ensemble streamflow predictions (ESP) requires large sample sizes to obtain accurate verification statistics. This means that verification of predictions for individual forecast locations and for specific forecast situations requires a retrospective verification approach. This involves simulating many ensemble streamflow predictions that would have been made in the past using the current forecast procedures. A retrospective approach to ESP verification is illustrated with a case study applied to the NWS BAYI4 forecast point in the Des Moines river basin. Different verification statistics to measure forecast resolution and reliability are examined for forecasts made at different times of the year, for different durations of the forecast window and for different forecast variables. Results show that predictability varies during the year and depends on the forecast variable at a given time.

extended abstract  Extended Abstract (212K)

Joint Poster Session 3, Flood Hydrology Management and Information Systems Posters (JOINT WITH THE SYMP ON IMPACTS OF WATER VARIABILITY: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES and the 17th Conference on Hydrology)
Tuesday, 11 February 2003, 9:45 AM-11:00 AM

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